15 of the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2024
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1. Best mattress for side sleepers overall: Emma NextGen Premium MattressEmma NextGen Premium MattressRead more
2. Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers: The Simba Hybrid® Original MattressThe Simba Hybrid® MattressRead more
3. Best affordable mattress for side sleepers: The Original Hybrid 2000 Pocket Sprung MattressThe Original Hybrid 2000 Pocket Sprung MattressRead more
Investing in one of the best mattresses for side sleepers can transform your nights from restless tossing and turning into waking up refreshed and energised, especially if you're among the 50% of Brits who prefer sleeping on their left or right side. According to the YouGov Sleep Study, a surprising 32% say they switch up their sleep positions — while only 7% exclusively snooze on their back, and 8% are front sleepers.
If done properly, side sleeping is believed to help reduce snoring, improve gut health, and even boost brain function. But as lovely and cosy as it is to snuggle down on your side, issues like lower back aches and hip and shoulder pain can start to creep in if you don't have the right kind of support. So — alongside treating yourself to one of the best pillows for side sleepers — picking the right mattress is key.
Whether you lie like a log with your arms outstretched, feel cosiest when curled up in the foetal position, or can't snooze without snuggling a pillow between your thighs, these comfortable mattresses are guaranteed to ensure you stay properly supported throughout your slumber.
SKIP TO: What mattress type is generally best for side sleepers? | What is the ideal mattress firmness for side sleepers? | How did we test the best mattress for side sleepers? | Our full reviews.
What mattress type is generally best for side sleepers?
A quick Google search will show you that there's a whole lot of jargon floating around in the magical world of mattresses. But — put simply — most mattresses can be split into broadly three categories: pocket sprung, memory foam, and hybrid.
The traditional option, pocket sprung mattresses are made up of steel coils that ensure even weight distribution and support — and typically have a few different firmness options for you to choose from. But a bouncy mattress isn't for everybody — Simba Marketing & E-commerce Director, Jon Moore, says that memory foam mattresses are a popular alternative for those who favour maximum sinkage.
“Known for their ability to mould to your body shape, memory foam mattresses not only provide pressure-relieving bliss — but they also reduce motion transfer, which is handy if you share a bed," Jon explains. “Although, one downside of traditional memory foam mattresses is that they don't have great airflow, and can therefore trap heat."
So, where do hybrid mattresses sit in the lineup? Made up of a mix of memory foam and pocketed coils or springs, hybrid mattresses are a combination of the two — and are typically seen as the best pick for side sleepers. “They're particularly well-suited for side sleepers, as they provide the benefits of both types — complete full-body support, as well as targeted cushioning to key pressure points like the shoulders and hips,” John adds.
What is the ideal mattress firmness for side sleepers?
“Although it’s down to personal preference, a medium-firm mattress is generally seen as the ideal tension for side sleepers — provided that it properly contours to the curves of the body," John explains.
But it's also worth bearing in mind that personal factors like weight and height can also come into play when picking the perfect firmness level for a side sleeper. Essentially, the heavier you are, the more well-suited you might be to a slightly firmer mattress — as you'll sink deeper into the mattress than intended, and end up with misalignment.
And this is all before we even start thinking about the best pillows for side sleepers. It's truly a fine science!
How did we test the best mattress for side sleepers?
At GLAMOUR, we rigorously tested the best mattresses for side sleepers by evaluating key factors like comfort, design, performance, cost, and temperature regulating properties to see which mattresses truly live up to expectations when reviewed by side sleepers. Each mattress in our edit has been tested for a minimum of 30 days — often much longer — to ensure we provide an in-depth review based on real first-hand experience. We've also visited showrooms and attended exclusive press events to stay informed about the latest innovations in the sleep-tech industry. In addition to our hands-on testing, we carefully analyse hundreds of customer reviews to address all of your mattress FAQs within our guide, giving you a well-rounded perspective before you buy.
What are the best mattresses for side sleepers? Keep scrolling to discover our top picks for 2024.
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1. Best mattress for side sleepers overall: Emma NextGen Premium Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU queen.
- Mattress type: Spring foam hybrid.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 25cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 200 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? Yes.
- Tested by: Mayola Fernandes, Commerce Writer.
The top pick in our best mattress guide, the Emma NextGen Premium Mattress, guarantees a restful night's sleep. Standing apart from the standard Emma Mattress, the NextGen Premium features seven unique zones of pocket springs for superior comfort. The advanced Infinity pocket springs add extra height to the mattress, enhancing airflow and keeping you cool and dry.
The NextGen boasts a luxurious finish thanks to its Halo Memory Foam layer positioned beneath the Emma UltraDry cover. This cover is smooth to the touch and lends a sleek feel to the mattress. During our testing, we found the cooling cover effectively regulated our temperature, markedly reduced night sweats.
Although the mattress felt firmer than expected, it quickly proved to be more comfortable than a softer option. Our tester, who had experienced sporadic aches and pains, now feels much looser, less strained, and, most importantly, well-rested after switching to the Emma NextGen Premium Mattress.
2/152. Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers: The Simba Hybrid® Original Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Small Double, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King, EU Single, EU Double, EU Queen.
- Mattress type: Hybrid — Aerocoil® springs and Open-cell Simbatex® foam.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 25cm.
- Trial period? Yes —200 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? No — but delivered to your chosen room.
- Tested by: Lian Brooks, GLAMOUR's Senior Audience Development Manager
With over half a million sold worldwide, it's no surprise that this OG Simba Hybrid is still a major player in the mattress market. Boasting six layers of pressure-relieving Aerocoil® springs, cooling open-cell Simbatex® foam, and a SupportCore™ base that prevents roll-off at the sides, this Hybrid mattress still packs a real punch — and provides a far cheaper way to experience the award-winning Simba Hybrid range.
The mattress is marketed as a medium-firm mattress, and our tester agreed, rating it a solid 7 out of 10 in firmness. She found it offered the perfect amount of firmness with a bit of give, providing excellent elasticity and cushioning. So, if you're after that sink in feel typical of memory foam mattresses then this likely isn't the best pick for you
Thanks to the pocket spring layer, which excels at motion isolation, our reviewer immediately noticed fewer disturbances from her restless partner throughout the night. As a side sleeper, she found it "cushioned and supported all the right places," while her partner, a back sleeper, felt it "targeted all the right pressure points," noticing a reduction in back pain after a couple of weeks of use.
**Read GLAMOUR's Simba Hybrid Original Mattress review. **
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3/153. Best affordable mattress for side sleepers: The Original Hybrid 2000 Pocket Sprung Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Double, UK King, UK Super King.
- Mattress type: Hybrid — memory foam and pocket springs.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 25cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 100 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 1 year.
- Mattress-in-a-box? Yes.
Not just a place to buy gorgeous bedding and bedroom furniture, DUSK also sells a super small range of affordable mattresses. Made up of a layer of heat tempered pocket springs that help keep the body in an optimum position all night, and layers of memory foam for added comfort.
The mattress comes with a removable cover that’s machine washable at 30 degrees — perfect for dealing with accidental spills or stains. With 2,000 individually encased springs surrounded by foam, you’ll avoid that uncomfortable poke-through sensation, and the springs will stay in place, providing steady support without shifting under your weight.
It would be great if there were a few more sizes to choose from. It's also only got a one-year guarantee, which isn't ideal but if you're after an affordable bed-in-a-box, it's a great option.
Save when you shop for the best mattresses for side sleepers with these DUSK discount codes.
4/154. Best mattress for side sleepers with a soft pillow-top: Sleepeezee PocketGel Plus Poise 3200 Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Small Double, UK Double, UK King Size, UK Super King Size, UK Super King Zip & Link.
- Mattress type: Hybrid — pocket springs and memory foam.
- Firmness: Softer.
- Thickness: 29cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 100 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? No.
Definitely the softest mattress you'l find in this edit, this Sleepeezee option is recommended for both back and side sleepers thanks to its careful blend of breathable gel-infused memory foam, and 3200 Softech® and Softouch® pocket springs.
As well as being soft to sleep on, the pillow-top has a ViroFresh™ cover that attracts and kills 99.9% of all bacteria and viruses within minutes. So it's a great option for allergy sufferers. Take note: with its 35cm thickness, it's definitely a mattress that'll require a deep fitted sheet and mattress protector.
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5/155. Best mattress for side sleepers with integrated topper: Supreme Hybrid Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: Single, Small Double, Double, EU Double, King, EU King, Super King
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Soft.
- Thickness: 30cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 200 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 15 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? Yes.
Standing tall at 30cm in depth, the Hypnia Supreme Hybrid features an integrated built-in mattress topper for additional comfort. Ergonomically designed to alleviate pain for all body types, it's crafted from a breathable fabric, and the mattress topper ensures optimal air circulation to keep you cool on warm nights.
Beneath it, a 5cm memory foam layer that offers pressure relief, while a layer of natural latex effectively dissipates excess heat. It arrives vacuum-packed and rolled up in a box for easy handling upon delivery.
6/156. Best cooling mattress for side sleepers: THE SIMBA Hybrid® Pro Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King.
- Mattress type: Hybrid - Aerocoil springs and Simbatex foam.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 31cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 200 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10-year guarantee.
- Mattress-in-a-box? Yes.
- Tested by: Bianca London, Co-website Director.
What truly sets this mattress apart is its impressive ten layers of meticulously crafted design, incorporating cutting-edge technology to allow us to experience our best slumber yet. It’s intelligently engineered to adapt to all body types, so there’s no need to worry about your specific mattress preferences — comfort is guaranteed in every sleeping position.
It offers impressive airflow and cooling features, thanks to a bamboo wool layer that helps prevent overheating, keeping you cool and comfortable throughout the night. It also uses graphite particles to draw heat away from your body. The springs are equally noteworthy— made from 40mm high-carbon steel, they’re built to resist wear and maintain their shape, ensuring you won’t experience any sagging or dips even after years of use.
Our tester was a big fan of the "sinking into bed" sensation this mattress offers, noting, "It even helped me through my pregnancy with sciatica and now makes me look forward to going to bed as early as 7 p.m." If sleep is precious to you, it's worth the upgrade.
7/157. Best mattress for side sleepers with a long trial period: Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King.
- Mattress type: Hybrid — CertiPUR™ foam and steel springs.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 28cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 365 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — a forever warranty.
- Mattress-in-a-box? Yes.
Perhaps the best thing about buying a Nectar mattress is that you can try it out for up to a year, not to mention that it comes with a forever warranty, too. If it's not right, the brand will pick it up for free, and offer you a full refund.
Made up of eight layers of pocket springs, memory foam, and micro springs, this adaptive memory foam mattress has been designed to relieve common pressure points beneath the shoulders, hips, and legs — while also ensuring maximum motion isolation between you and your partner. Plus, its clever breathable layers have been designed to maximise airflow, and wick away moisture while
8/158. Best memory foam mattress for side sleepers: Emma Original Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Small Double, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King, EU Single, EU Double, EU Queen.
- Mattress type: Memory foam.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 25cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 100 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? Yes.
Despite being around for a little while, this classic memory foam mattress still regularly rakes in the awards. Underneath the soft removable cover, you'll find a mattress made up of three impressive layers; temperature-regulating and sweat-absorbing Point Elastic Airgocell® technology, a memory foam support layer that conforms to your body and minimises motion transfer, and a base layer that's got seven different cut-out zones that make sure your spine is aligned, and your weight is evenly distributed.
Made of mostly just memory foam, this mattress may feel a little too soft on the firmness scale for some people but if a softer feel is your preference then this is a good bet. Although it doesn’t require flipping, the mattress tends to develop slight sinking after prolonged use. Rotating it helps reduce this, but investing in a mattress topper could provide a more lasting solution.
Save when you shop for the best mattresses for side sleepers with these Emma Mattress discount codes.
9/159. Best temperature regulating mattress for side sleepers: OTTY Pure+ Hybrid Bamboo & Charcoal Premium Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King.
- Mattress type: Hybrid — pocket springs and memory foam.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 28cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 100 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? Yes.
Made with memory foam that's been infused with odour-eliminating and hypoallergenic activated charcoal, and anti-fungal and fully breathable bamboo, this sustainable mattress is spot-on for hot sleepers.
Boasting a total of 4000 encapsulated pocket springs split between two separate comfort layers, it's a luxury mattress that's great for both back and side sleepers. Once you've unboxed it, you'll need to let it rise for around four hours. So it's not one to immediately sleep on!
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10/1510. Best mattress with superior edge-to-edge support: Panda Bamboo Hybrid Mattress Pro
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Small Double, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King, EU Single, EU Double, EU King, Emperor.
- Mattress type: Hybrid — bamboo-infused memory foam and multi-zone pocket springs.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 27cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 200 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? No — but delivered to your chosen room.
- Tested by: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer.
Constructed out of orthopaedic grade open-cell foam, and ultra-responsive pocket arranged strategically across seven zones, this firm mattress provides excellent support. Best of all, the removable cover and foam layer are infused with fresh bamboo — which not only allows for far better airflow and breathability than your typical visco foam, but also gives the mattress naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic qualities.
When our tester reviewed this mattress, they noticed straight away how premium it felt. Its soft top layers were light and cool to the touch, while the breathable bamboo mattress cover that comes included with the product felt incredibly soft yet durable. It is definitely on the firmer side, which might make it a little bit uncomfortable for some side sleepers.
**Read GLAMOUR's Panda Hybrid Mattress review. **
11/1511. Best mattress with a large selection of sizes: REM-Fit 600® Lux Hybrid Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Small Single, Long Small Single, UK Single, UK Small Double, UK Double, UK King Size, UK Super King Size, EU Single, EU Double, EU King Size.
- Mattress type: Hybrid — memory foam and pocket springs.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 25cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 100 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 15 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? Yes.
With 4000 premium pocket springs, and an extra-deep visco foam layer that's been carefully zoned to provide varied levels of density to different parts of the body, there's a lot to love about this impressive hybrid mattress. Best of all, you'll also get two free memory foam pillows — specifically designed to aid correct spinal alignment, and carefully cradle your head and neck while you sleep.
12/1512. Best mattress for side sleepers with bigger builds: Simba Hybrid® Ultra Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King.
- Mattress type: Hybrid.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: 34cm.
- Trial period? Yes —200 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? No — but delivered to your chosen room.
- Tested by: Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director.
The best of the best, this Simba medium-firm mattress serves up thirteen truly sensational layers. Highlights include four layers of a total of 8,500 springs, two layers of breathable Simbatex® foam technology, and an all-new cushioned top layer of kapok, wool, and bamboo that helps with temperature regulation and breathability.
At 34cm deep, it's also a great pick whatever your body weight or body type — as it will still provide the perfect blend of sinkage and support for heavier builds. Plus, your mattress also comes with a free mattress protector — made with Simba's famous breathable cotton material.
The reason it is called a Hybrid mattress is that it combines both foam and springs – something you don't really appreciate until you've tried it. Our tester immediately noticed how supported their body felt as a result of this technology. Unsurprisingly, it's super expensive. And its thickness may make it a little tall for some bed frames.
**Read GLAMOUR's Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress review. **
13/1513. Best memory foam mattress for side sleepers: TEMPUR CoolTouch™ Sensation Elite Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Double, UK King, UK Super King.
- Mattress type: TEMPUR memory foam.
- Firmness: Firm.
- Thickness: 25cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 100 nights.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? No — but delivered to your chosen room.
An ideal choice for couples, this premium mattress recovers quickly from compression and offers enhanced mobility thanks to its flexible open-cell walls, and boasts a clever CoolTouch™ cover that helps manage excess heat throughout the night. Truly worth the hype (and hefty price-tag!), it provides primarily firm levels of support — but the 3cm TEMPUR comfort layer makes the perfect topper, as it moulds to the contours of your body, and provides that dreamy cloud-like softness.
According to some reviews, it sometimes has a slightly chemical smell when it first arrives — although this does disappear within a few days. Also, it doesn't come in very many UK sizes.
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14/1514. Best affordable mattress for side sleepers: Fogarty Just Right Pillow Top Open Coil Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Small Double, UK Double, UK King, UK Super King.
- Mattress type: Open coil.
- Firmness: Medium.
- Thickness: 25cm.
- Trial period? No.
- Guarantee? Yes — 10 years.
- Mattress-in-a-box? No.
As well as being relatively affordable, this fabulous Fogarty mattress has been designed specifically with side sleepers in mind. While its traditional open coil coil design provides optimum support while you sleep, the built-in topper lets you sink right in, and takes any excess pressure off your shoulders, hips, and back.
We can't think of any real cons for such a budget-friendly buy. But it's worth bearing in mind that there's no trial period available — so make sure you're certain before you add it to your basket.
15/1515. Best mattress for side sleepers with back pain: Ortho Support 2000 Pocket Spring Mattress
Specifications:
- Sizes available: UK Single, UK Double, UK King.
- Mattress type: Layered pocket springs.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Thickness: Roughly 30cm.
- Trial period? Yes — 60 nights.
- Guarantee? Doesn't say.
- Mattress-in-a-box? No.
With its unique zoned pocket springs that react to your individual body shape and weight, this orthopaedic mattress has been designed to provide bespoke full-body support, and keep your posture as close to neutral as possible throughout the night. It's a great option for side sleepers who can't seem to avoid waking up with back pain.
Although this mattress is undoubtedly a great orthopaedic option for tackling back pain, it does have a couple of practical drawbacks. As well as coming in only three UK sizes, it's really heavy to manoeuvre — which can make changing the bed quite tricky. Also, a sixty-night trial doesn't seem very generous compared to many of the other brands featured.
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